Snap top tote apparatus

ABSTRACT

A tote bag apparatus includes a central bounded opening and a top closure allowing a contained item to urge the tote outwardly while forming a seamless bottom member into close contact with the contained item. During use, the tote bag stands upright without an unsightly bunching at an interface between the bottom member and side members, and enables a strap to secure both the contained item from unintended separation and optionally the tote bag to an external support for ready and secure transport.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Prov. App. No. 60/642,363filed Jan. 8, 2005 now abandoned, is a continuation-in-part of U.S.Design App. No. 29/220,939 filed Jan. 8, 2005 currently pending andallowed, is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Design App. No. 29/230,683filed May 25, 2005 currently pending, is a continuation-in-part of U.S.Design App. No. 29/,230,704 filed May 25, 2005 currently pending, and isa continuation of PCT/US2005/______ filed Jan. 8, 2006 (Attorney Ref.No. Built.P045), the contents of each of which is herein fullyincorporated by reference.

VIEW SELECTED FOR PUBLICATION

FIG. 4

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a tote bag with a flexible enclosingmember at a top section. More specifically, the present inventionrelates to a snap top tote bag having a simplified and ruggedconstruction and a convenient closing mechanism that readily minimizestipping during use while retaining thermal energy and minimizingconstruction costs and container damage during transport.

2. Description of the Related Art

Various bottle totes and bags are known in the art, but lack thevaluable features found in the present invention.

In multiple disclosures by Hamilton (US D441,612, US D409,450, USD414,083) [collectively Hamilton], a top loading wine bottle bagincludes a body section formed from three sewn-together pieces and twoseparately attached handle portions that bound sides of the top opening.The body sections are sewn to bulge outwardly and loosely contain a winebottle while providing a carry handle in two parts. Alternativeembodiments include small zipper pockets on the outer surface of thebody section. While Hamilton provides a convenient top loading wine bagit fails to provide for the option of securing the wine bottle securelywithin a closure to prevent unintended escape, jiggling, or for securingthe product to another item for easy security or transport. Hamiltonsimilarly fails to optimize a convenient and speedy construction,requiring multi-dimensional stitches and the assembly of multiple piecesrequiring waste during shape cut-out.

In Plooster (U.S. Pat. No. 1,808,375), a shopping bag is formed from twomain pieces of flexible material that are sewn together. In a continuoustop piece, a carry strap and two side panels are formed, and a bottompiece is sewn to the bottom portion of each side panel joining them andforming a supportive bottom member. In this embodiment, the materialselected is simply fabric and is therefore not readily shaped to enablethermal retention, secure a bottle from rattling and breakage, provide atight engagement strap to retain a bottle within the bag, or provide anattachment mechanism to join the shopping bag to another item for easysecurity against tipping or to secure transport. As an additionalnegative, the bottom panel includes continuous seams that bunch and risktipping a bottle, preventing a bottle bottom from flat contact withoutmanually “pulling up” the shopping bag about the loosely containedbottle.

There is therefore a need for a conveniently constructed, preferablyinsulating tote container, that flattens during non-use, securelycontains a container , allows engagement with another item for easysecurity or transport, and provides a flatenable bottom without bunchingor “pulling up” the container prior to placement on a support surface.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a snap top toteapparatus that responds to one of the needs noted above.

An object of the present invention is to provide a tote bag having asimple and robust construction that provides superior protection to acontainer and easy transport.

An alternative object of the present invention is to provide a tote bagformed from a material having a thermal retention capability.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a tote bag formedfrom a single or continuous piece of material to minimize constructioncosts and waste.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a design easilyadapted between a cut-n-sew side-seam construction to a continuouslymanufactured construction without side seams.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a tote bag with asecure bottom closure that allows a filled tote-bag to stand uprightwithout budging or protruding thereby minimizing risk of tipping.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a tote bag productwith a simple closure top member, securing the contents and allowing theproduct to be carried as a handle, or strapped to a second product forsecure and ready transport.

The present invention relates to a tote bag apparatus optionallyincluding a central bounded opening and a top closure allowing acontained item to urge the bag outwardly while forming by flattening abottom member into close contact with the contained item. During use,the tote bag stands upright without an unsightly bunching at aninterface between the bottom member and side members, and enables astrap member to secure both the contained item and optionally the totebag to an external support for ready and secure transport.

According to one embodiment of the present invention there is provided acarry tote apparatus comprising: a first flexible member including asupporting bottom portion joining a front side portion and a rear sideportion in a substantially continuous manner and bounding at least onecontainer receiving region there between, a first attachment memberprojecting from the first side portion distal from the bottom portion, asecond attachment section on the second side portion distal from thebottom portion, means for releasably securing the first projectingattachment member and the second attachment section, whereby the meansfor releasably securing enables a secure joining between the front sideportion and the rear side portion for securing an external containerwithin the container receiving region of the tote apparatus during ause, at least a first and a second notch region defining a flexibletransition region between the supporting bottom portion and proximateportions of the front and rear side portions, whereby during the use thefirst and second notch regions enable the first flexible member to flexand smoothly bound a bottom region of the external container withoutdistending and provide a smooth support surface to the externalcontainer.

According to another alternative embodiment of the present inventionthere is provided a carry tote apparatus wherein: the first front sideportion and the rear side portion are joined by one of a seamed and aseamless construction.

According to another alternative embodiment of the present inventionthere is provided a carry tote apparatus wherein: the front and rearside portions are joined by a seamed construction.

According to another alternative embodiment of the present inventionthere is provided a carry tote apparatus wherein: the first flexiblemember is a continuous elastomeric member, and the elastomeric memberbeing one of a closed cell and an open cell rubber material, whereby thetote apparatus enables a thermal retention and an elastic protection ofthe external container during the use.

According to another alternative embodiment of the present inventionthere is provided a carry tote apparatus wherein: the first attachmentmember continuously projects from the first side portion distal from thebottom portion.

According to another alternative embodiment of the present inventionthere is provided a carry tote apparatus wherein: the elastomeric memberincludes is at least one of a neoprene material and an SBR (StyreneButadiene Rubber) material.

According to another alternative embodiment of the present inventionthere is provided a carry tote apparatus wherein: the elastomeric memberis coated on at least one side by at least one of an artificial textilematerial, natural textile material, and a flexible film material,whereby the elastomeric member is protected from unintended abrasion.

According to another alternative embodiment of the present inventionthere is provided a carry tote apparatus, further comprising: means fordividing the at least one container region into at least two containerreceiving regions for containing multiple external containers, and themeans for dividing including a dividing stitch line joining regions ofthe front side and the rear side portions whereby the first flexiblemember enables secure transport of more than one external container.

According to another alternative embodiment of the present inventionthere is provided a method of constructing a flexible tote apparatus forreleasably containing at least one external container, comprising thesteps of:: forming at least a first elongate continuous flexible memberincluding a supporting bottom portion joining a front side portion and arear side portion in a substantially continuous manner, the continuousmember including a first attachment member projecting from the firstside portion distal the bottom portion, the continuous member includinga second attachment member on the second side portion distal the bottomportion, the step of forming including a second step of forming at leastat least a first and a second notch region defining a flexibletransition region between the supporting bottom portion and proximateportions of respective the front and rear side portions, whereby duringa use the first and second notch regions enable the first flexiblemember to flex and smoothly bound a support region of the externalcontainer without distending and to provide a smooth support surface tothe external container, securing respective attachment sides ofrespective the front side and respective rear side portions and boundingat least one container receiving region there between, and securing atleast a first means for releasably securing the first projectingattachment member and the second attachment member on respective thefirst and second side portions, whereby the means for releasablysecuring enables a secure joining between the front side portion and therear side portion for securing the external container within thecontainer receiving region of the tote apparatus during a use.

According to another alternative embodiment of the present invention,there is provided a flexible tote apparatus for securely transporting atleast one external container, comprising: an elongate continuous member,further comprising: a first side portion and a second side portion, abottom portion continuously joining the first and second side portionsat proximate ends thereof, a first and a second notch portion onopposing sides of the bottom portion at the proximate ends of the firstand second side portions, means for joining respective portions of theopposing sides of the first and the second side portions therebydefining a container bounding region there between for receiving the atleast one external container, an extending attachment member having anattachment end projecting from a distal end of the first side portion, areceiving portion defined on the distal end of the second side portionproximate the attachment end of the attachment member, means forreleasably affixing the attachment end of the extending attachmentmember to the receiving portion thereby preventing an unintendedseparation of the external container from the container bounding regionduring a use.

According to another alternative and optional embodiment of the presentinvention, there is provided a flexible tote apparatus, wherein: themeans for joining includes at least one of stitching, gluing, heatsealing, stapling, riveting, and binding, whereby the means for joiningenables substantial flexibility along joined portions of the opposingsides of the first and second side portions and enables the flexibletote apparatus to remain flexible after joining during a use.

The above, and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following description read inconduction with the accompanying drawings, in which like referencenumerals designate the same elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view of an unstitched tote element prior to a stitching orconstruction step.

FIG. 4 is a perspective top view of the present invention, shown filledwith a container.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the view shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of the filled embodiment shown in FIG.4

FIG. 7 is a top view of the filled embodiment shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the filled embodiment shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view along line 9-9 shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view along line 10-10 shown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments of theinvention that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whereverpossible, same or similar reference numerals are used in the drawingsand the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps. Thedrawings are in simplified form and are not to precise scale or shape.For purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional terms, such astop, bottom, up, down, over, above, and below may be used with respectto the drawings. These and similar directional terms should not beconstrued to limit the scope of the invention in any manner.Furthermore, the words “connect,” “couple,” and similar terms with theirinflectional morphemes do not necessarily denote direct and immediateconnections, but also include connections through mediate elements ordevices.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 3, a tote apparatus 1 includes a frontside portion 2 and a rear side portion 3. A bottom portion 4continuously spans front side portion 2 and rear side portion 3. Frontside portion 2 includes a strap member 5 continuously extending from oneside edge of front side portion 2 into a narrow shaped member extendingtoward the opposite side edge of front side portion 2 (as shown). A malesnap member 6 is affixed to a distal end of strap member 5, as shown.

A joining portion 7 of rear side portion 3 extends outwardly as aprotuberance away from one side edge of rear side portion 3, oppositethe origination of strap member 5. Joining portion 7 extends from a rearside portion 3 on an opposite side edge to strap member 5 extending fromfront side portion 2. As a consequence of this design, male snap member6, on the distal end of strap member 5 is proximate the protuberance ofjoining portion 7 on rear side portion 3. A female snap member 8 isaffixed to the distal end of the protruding joining portion 7 proximatethe distal end of strap member 5 and male snap member 6.

Male and female snap members 6, 8 serve as mechanisms or means forjoining or securing strap member 5 with joining portion 7 and forming anengageable and disengagable securing loop or strap between front andrear side portions 2, 3 that additionally operates as an openable carryhandle. Those skilled in the art of consumer product design will readilyrecognize that the present embodiment does not limit the invention tosnaps, and that alternative mechanisms or means for joining and securingstrap member 5 to joining portion 7 may be used. These include, but arenot limited to Velcro, buttons, hook and loops, buckles, small metalhooks, snap-gate technologies common to climbing equipment, and manyothers.

The materials for constructing tote apparatus 1, as shown in thepreferred embodiments, include neoprene and SBR (Styrene ButadieneRubber) for its desirable elastic and optionally desirable thermalretention capabilities. Neoprene and SBR are closed cell foamconstructions bounded by selectable textile flexible fabric members,commonly nylon on both sides or alternatively a woven terry cloth orother material. It should be recognized that other open and closed cellfoam materials may be selected by manufacturers without departing fromthe scope and spirit of the present invention. In other embodiments, thematerial for tote apparatus 1 may be simply woven fabric or multiplelayers of fabric. It is not mandatory to the utility of the presentinvention that the material forming front and rear side portions beelastic or thermally retentive, these are merely preferred qualities ofthe preferred embodiment discussed. While the manufacturing benefits ofa continuous piece are described below, nothing herein shall restrictthe present design to mandatory continuous piece construction. Those ofskill in the art will recognize that strap member 5 may be formed fromany suitable material and be flexible or inflexible, and elastic orinelastic as desired by a manufacturer, and may be separately affixed tothe front side portion.

As clearly shown in FIG. 3, the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention is formed from a continuous piece of material. As can be seen,bottom portion 4 continues from front side portion 2 to rear sideportion 3. Bottom portion 4 is formed by cutting notches 9 havingradiused comers 10 in an initial material-cutting step minimizingmaterial waste and hence lowering manufacturing costs.

In a second manufacturing step fabric piping or edging material 11 isstitched around the cut portions forming strap member 5 and joiningportion 7 as shown. Edging material 11 may also be formed about theentire end cut portions of front and rear side portions 2, 3 to minimizeraveling and fraying of the cut edge and to provide a pleasingappearance. Piping or edging material 11 may be formed from any suitablematerial and may include various colors or patterns pleasing to aconsumer or manufacturer. Piping and edging material 11 is an optionaladdition to the preferred embodiment shown, and while providing utilityand a benefit, is not mandatory to the present construction for secureoperation. In alternative embodiments, piping or edging material 11 maycompletely cover the edge of tote apparatus 1, or may cover onlyselected portions as desired by a manufacturer without departing fromthe present invention.

In an additional and optional step, a binding stitch (not shown) or evenan addition of edging material 11 may be provided about the edge ofnotches 9, 9 forming bottom portion 4 to minimize edge fraying andsupport a pleasing appearance. Since radiused corners 10, 10 form arather narrow angle along notches 9 when tote apparatus 1 is folded atbottom portion 4, a flexible binding stitch (not shown) is preferredover edging material 11, but those of skill in the art recognize thatnotches 9, 9 may remain unfixed or may employ via thermal fusing,gluing, etc. other methods to minimize fraying and edge damage. Those ofskill in the consumer products manufacturing arts will readily recognizethat alternative means exist for minimizing edge fraying along notches 9without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

In a third manufacturing step, bottom portion 4 is folded and front andrear side portions 2, 3 are aligned. In this step, notches 9, 9 arealigned on each side of bottom portion 4 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 through 10, in a fourth manufacturing step,side binding stitches 12, 12 are used to join the butt portions (orother portions) of each front and rear side portion 2, 3, as shownforming a smooth and pleasing exterior look to tote apparatus 1. In thepreferred embodiment shown, stitches 12, 12, are shown in a zig-zagpattern, but any suitable stitch pattern may be used to join front andrear side portions 2, 3. It should also be understood that any suitablemechanism or method may be used to join front and rear side portions,including thermal binding and gluing of the material portions, oralternative stitching patterns. It will also be readily understood bythose of skill in the art that edging material 11 may be appliedfollowing the manufacturing step of folding and stitching together frontand rear side portions 2, 3.

It is also known in the consumer products and fabric arts to create acontinuously formed or woven shape, commonly known from knitted tiemakers, without side seams. Continuously formed shapes may also beformed from neoprene and other foam based and consumer based productmaterials while retaining the preferred (not mandatory) beneficialqualities of the preferred embodiment, namely elastic/flexible andthermal limiting qualities. This invention intends to incorporate theunderstanding that while the preferred embodiment is cut from a singlepiece of material and stitched into final form, nothing shall preventthis invention from being so limited, and continuously formed finalshapes may also be employed.

Where a continuous final shape is formed, the manufacturing process willadapt to remove the edge joining step and to include a step of cuttingout notches 9, 9 and defining and forming bottom portion 4 as acontinuous bottom support. Where a continuous shape is formed, themanufacturing process will also include the steps of forming strapmember 5 and joining portion 7. Thus, those skilled in the art ofmaterials forming will readily recognize that various manufacturingmethods may be employed without departing from the scope and spirit ofthe present invention.

In a later step, male and female snap members 6, 8 are affixedrespectively to strap member 5 and joining portion 7 to allow suitableengagement.

During use, when bottle 13 is inserted into tote apparatus and presseddownwardly, side portions 2, 3 separate and form bottom portion 4 into afloor member allowing tote apparatus 1 to remain upright on a flatsurface without bunching of fabric adjacent the edge seams.

It will be understood, by those skilled in the art, that the presentinvention optionally includes notches 9, 9 to allow bottom portion 4 toform a flat floor portion and eliminate the risk of fabric bunchingadjacent the floor portion, thereby providing a smooth appearance to aconsumer, enabling close positioning of multiple filled members, andprovides a pleasing appearance. These benefits are more clearlyappreciated in FIGS. 7 and 8, where the preferred material elasticallyadapts to the external shape of bottle 13 while the elimination ofbottom seams along the edges of front and rear side portions 2, 3provides a smooth rounded bottom radius and notches 9, 9 with radiusedcomers 10, 10 minimize unsightly fabric bunching. One benefit of thepresent invention is that risk of bottle tipping is minimized and a flatsupport surface is preserved for user convenience.

While a round bottle 13 is employed in the present invention, it shouldbe readily apparent to those of skill in the art that differently sizedand shaped containers, including tapered and rounded containers, may beused without departing from the benefits of the present design. Forexample, rectilinear flexible board containers are commonly used inEurope for juice, milk and other fluids may be readily employed. Therectilinear design is easily stacked and transported by manufacturers inboth a filled (by pushing the strap member aside) and unfilled form, andhas been broadly adopted in the EU, with a growing use in the US. Thepresent invention, due to its preferable elastic construction easilyadapts to accept the rectilinear design and provide the benefits notedabove.

Those skilled in the art should also readily recognize the benefitsprovide by the preferred embodiment by eliminating any bottom seam, andthe associated risk of seam failure and loss of contents. The presentinvention provides a seamless continuous bottom portion that, in thepreferred embodiment shown, is integral with front and rear sideportions 2, 3 and therefore enables the transport of heaver loads withgreater security. Thus, while the preferred embodiment provides nobottoms seam and a continuously bounded container receiving region, itis recognized that a similar shape of construction maybe assembled frommultiple disparate pieces, having seams along a bottom region, withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Another alternative construction related to the present preferreddescription is to extend the dimensions of the container receivingregion thereby enabling its sub-division by one or more dividingstitches and the formation of at least two container receiving regions.

In the claims, means- or step-plus-function clauses are intended tocover the structures described or suggested herein as performing therecited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalentstructures. Thus, for example, although a nail, a screw, and a bolt maynot be structural equivalents in that a nail relies on friction betweena wooden part and a cylindrical surface, a screw's helical surfacepositively engages the wooden part, and a bolt's head and nut compressopposite sides of a wooden part, in the environment of fastening woodenparts, a nail, a screw, and a bolt may be readily understood by thoseskilled in the art as equivalent structures.

Having described at least one of the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is tobe understood that the invention is not limited to those preciseembodiments, and that various changes, modifications, and adaptationsmay be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing fromthe scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

1. A tote apparatus, comprising: a first flexible member including asupporting bottom portion joining a front side portion and a rear sideportion in a substantially continuous manner and bounding at least onecontainer receiving region there between; a first attachment memberprojecting from said first side portion distal from said bottom portion;a second attachment section on said second side portion distal from saidbottom portion; means for releasably securing said first projectingattachment member and said second attachment section, whereby said meansfor releasably securing enables a secure joining between said front sideportion and said rear side portion for securing an external containerwithin said container receiving region of said tote apparatus during ause; and at least a first and a second notch region defining a flexibletransition region between said supporting bottom portion and proximateportions of said front and rear side portions, whereby during said usesaid first and second notch regions enable said first flexible member toflex and smoothly bound a bottom region of said external containerwithout distending and provide a smooth support surface to said externalcontainer.
 2. A tote apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein: saidfirst front side portion and said rear side portion are joined by one ofa seamed and a seamless construction.
 3. A tote apparatus, according toclaim 2, wherein: said front and rear side portions are joined by aseamed construction.
 4. A tote apparatus, according to claim 2, wherein:said first flexible member is a continuous elastomeric member; and saidelastomeric member being one of a closed cell and an open cell rubbermaterial, whereby said tote apparatus enables a thermal retention and anelastic protection of said external container during said use.
 5. A toteapparatus, according to claim 1, wherein: said first attachment membercontinuously projects from said first side portion distal from saidbottom portion.
 6. A tote apparatus, according to claim 4 wherein: saidelastomeric member includes is at least one of a neoprene material andan SBR (Styrene Butadiene Rubber) material.
 7. A tote apparatus,according to claim 6 wherein: said elastomeric member is coated on atleast one side by at least one of an artificial textile material,natural textile material, and a flexible film material, whereby saidelastomeric member is protected from unintended abrasion.
 8. A toteapparatus, according to claim 3, further comprising: means for dividingsaid at least one container region into at least two container receivingregions for containing multiple external containers; and the means fordividing including a dividing stitch line joining regions of said frontside and said rear side portions whereby said first flexible memberenables secure transport of more than one external container.
 9. Amethod of constructing a flexible tote apparatus for releasablycontaining at least one external container, comprising the steps of:forming at least a first elongate continuous flexible member including asupporting bottom portion joining a front side portion and a rear sideportion in a substantially continuous manner; said continuous memberincluding a first attachment member projecting from said first sideportion distal said bottom portion; said continuous member including asecond attachment member on said second side portion distal said bottomportion; said step of forming including a second step of forming atleast at least a first and a second notch region defining a flexibletransition region between said supporting bottom portion and proximateportions of respective said front and rear side portions, whereby duringa use said first and second notch regions enable said first flexiblemember to flex and smoothly bound a support region of said externalcontainer without distending and to provide a smooth support surface tosaid external container; securing respective attachment sides ofrespective said front side and respective rear side portions andbounding at least one container receiving region there between; andsecuring at least a first means for releasably securing said firstprojecting attachment member and said second attachment member onrespective said first and second side portions, whereby said means forreleasably securing enables a secure joining between said front sideportion and said rear side portion for securing said external containerwithin said container receiving region of said tote apparatus during ause.
 10. A flexible tote apparatus for securely transporting at leastone external container, comprising: an elongate continuous member;further comprising: a first side portion and a second side portion; abottom portion continuously joining said first and second side portionsat proximate ends thereof; a first and a second notch portion onopposing sides of said bottom portion at said proximate ends of saidfirst and second side portions; means for joining respective portions ofsaid opposing sides of said first and said second side portions therebydefining a container bounding region there between for receiving said atleast one external container; an extending attachment member having anattachment end projecting from a distal end of said first side portion;a receiving portion defined on said distal end of said second sideportion proximate said attachment end of said attachment member; meansfor releasably affixing said attachment end of said extending attachmentmember to said receiving portion thereby preventing an unintendedseparation of said external container from said container boundingregion during a use.
 11. A flexible tote apparatus, according to claim11, wherein: said means for joining includes at least one of stitching,gluing, heat sealing, stapling, riveting, and binding, whereby saidmeans for joining enables substantial flexibility along joined portionsof said opposing sides of said first and second side portions andenables said flexible tote apparatus to remain flexible after joiningduring a use.
 12. A flexible tote apparatus, according to claim 11,wherein: said elongate continuous member is an elastomeric member.
 13. Aflexible tote apparatus, according to claim 12, wherein: saidelastomeric member is one of a closed cell and an open cell foammaterial.
 14. A flexible tote apparatus, according to claim 13, wherein:said elastomeric member includes a surface cover of one of an artificialtextile, a natural textile, and a film material, whereby a surface ofsaid elastomeric member is protected from minimal abrasion.
 15. Aflexible tote apparatus, according to claim 11, wherein: said means forjoining includes stitching; said elongate continuous member is anelastomeric member; said elastomeric member is one of a neoprenematerial and a SBR (Styrene Butadiene Rubber) material; and said atleast one elastomeric member includes a protective covering of a textilematerial, whereby a surface of said flexible tote apparatus minimizesabrasion.